Federer to take on Djokovic in Cincinnati final

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Novak Djokovic overcame a battling Marin Cilic 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 to reach his sixth Cincinnati Masters final on Saturday while Roger Federer enjoyed a less-taxing route to the title match after his semi-final opponent David Goffin retired with a shoulder injury.

Federer had taken the first set 7-6(3) before Goffin took a short break for treatment from his trainer.

It was 1-1 in the second when Goffin called it a night.

Federer, seven-for-seven in Cincinnati finals, will play in his 150th final when he meets Djokovic on Sunday. Djokovic has a 23-22 head-to-head edge but Federer has won all three of their Cincinnati final meetings.

Federer said he was unaware for most of his semi-final that his Belgian opponent had been carrying an injury.

“I did realize he wasn’t serving very big,” the Swiss told ESPN. “I wasn’t sure if it was a tactic to get a higher first serve percentage.”

Federer wins his semifinal over David Goffin, besting him in straight sets when the latter has to retire in the second set. /VCG Photo

Federer was happy with the short night’s work after playing until after midnight in his quarterfinal against Stan Wawrinka.

“I got to bed at 3:30 in the morning,” he said. “I’m tired. I’m going to recover for tomorrow and hopefully be in better shape.

Federer said there was a lot on the line in the final.

“This is a big match. I think we’re all a bit mentally and maybe physically tired but I’m looking forward to this final. There’s also a lot at stake for me. I’m going for my 99th title.”

Earlier, Djokovic, who has lost all five of his previous Cincinnati finals, was not at his best in a match that stretched for 2 hours and 32 minutes against Cilic.

The Serb came through on the big points.

“It’s been a rollercoaster week with matches, interruptions, and rain delays and everything,” Djokovic said.

“I managed to win the last three matches in the third set. Very few points decided a winner and I just managed to pull through.”

Djokovic closes in on a Western & Southern Open title with his 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 victory over Marin Cilic. /VCG Photo

After dropping the second set, Djokovic broke to go 3-1 up in the decider before complaining to the chair umpire about music that was audible from outside center court.

It seemed to break Djokovic’s concentration as he immediately went down 0-40 on serve before digging his way back to deuce, only to lose the game with a weak second serve into the net.

However, Djokovic broke back in the eighth game before serving out clinically to secure victory.

“I didn’t like that music in the first few games of the third set,” he said, adding that he planned to watch the Federer-Goffin semifinal on television.

“Of course, I’ll watch, from my bed or bath,” he said.

Known as more of a clay-court player, Bertens has reached a hard-court final for the first time. /VCG Photo

In the women's bracket, Simona Halep reached the final for a second straight year, beating Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 6-4. Like Djokovic, she's never won the title, losing both of her chances, including the title match last year to Garbine Muguruza.

Halep will be trying for her second title in eight days. She won her third title of the season last Sunday in Montreal.

"It's going to be a big challenge for me to play another final and win it," she said.

She'll face Kiki Bertens , who advanced to her first Western & Southern final by wearing down No. 8 Petra Kvitova 3-6, 6-4, 6-2.

Bertens is an unexpected finalist, winning only one match during three previous appearances in Cincinnati. Her only title this season was at Charleston.

(With input from agencies)